Do Now
Semantic Mapping on 'Cuz He's Black" Because you have prior experience working with spoken-word poetry through our class analysis and close reading of Javon Johnson's "Cuz He's Black," brainstorm stand-out, unique features of the poem form that you recall. Use textual evidence when you can. You will want to add to this semantic map after you complete the lesson to integrate the new information you learned about this specific type of poetry. |
For today's computer lab activity, you will be watching Shane Koyczan's "This is my Voice," and 3 other slam poems of your choosing. Everyone must watch Koyczan's poem for a shared reference point that will be beneficial in our concluding discussion. After watching his performance, summarize the main idea of the poem in a pen-and-paper tweet. Remember you are limited to 140 characters (including characters or less). You must also include a hashtag in your summarization tweet that captures the message of the poem in a single phrase extracted from the poem itself (it should be - or be close to - verbatim). To guide your thinking about the hashtag, feel free to refer to the hashtags provided for each slam poems on the list from which you may choose. This is practice for part of your final unit project.
Next, watch at least 3 other slam poems from the provided list of 12. The list compiles a bunch of slam poems that do not necessarily take on the role of political poetry, but act as social commentaries and pose life philosophies. Without time to establish the proper background knowledge, such are more universally and immediately accessible. As you watch them, fill in a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting "regular" poetry with slam poetry. Also, jot down (bullet form is acceptable) the poet's purpose for writing (and speaking) the poems. Use the hashtags to guide you.
Step 1: Shared Knowledge Base
SHANE KOYCZAN: This is my Voice
"Every time I walk by, I can't help but feel at fault that maybe I didn't search myself hard enough for the CRTL, ALT, S so I could save the world or at least this little girl curled up in a ball."
Twitter Summary
Watch Shane Koyczan's performance of "This is my Voice." Then, in a pen-and-paper tweet, summarize the main points and the purpose of the poem. You must incorporate a hashtag of a specific phrase from the poem that epitomizes its message. Remember that Twitter language limits you to 140 characters or less.
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Step 2: Student Choice
SAMUEL HAWKINS: 12:01
#youwannaseehope |
SARAH KAY: If I Should Have a Daughter...
#chocolateandrainboots |
BEN NORRIS: Gravity
#ensureelevation |
OMAR HOLMAN: Anatomy of a Prayer
#thewilltoliveisfight Similar Message to Dylan Thomas's "Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night"!
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CARLOS ANDRES GOMEZ: Pet Peeve
#allthatmovesus |
RUDY FRANCISCO: Complainers
#eachpulseatrophy |
SARAH KAY & PHIL KAYE: When Love Arrives
#notwhoyouwerexpecting |
NEIL HILBORN: OCD
#loveisnotamistake |
DYLAN GARITY: Giants
#ifanelephantslips |
ANTOSH WOJCIK: My Invisible Friend
#safewhenawake |
PHIL KAYE: Repetition
#clawofmeaning |
ANDREA GIBSON: Panic Button Collector
#clockofbeautifulticks Allusion to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.!
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Compare & Contrast Venn Diagram:
Regular Poetry v. Slam Poetry As you watch your choice of the provided slam poems, think about how these poems differ from the regular poetry we have been studying. Think back to Javon Johnson's "Cuz He's Black," as well. On a Venn Diagram, list characteristics unique to both types of poetry, as well as overlapping traits. Consider differences in form, content, purpose, reader response, etc. Why would someone chose spoken-word poetry over the traditional pen-and-paper approach to poetic expression? |
Author's Purpose After you watch each of the slam poems of your choosing, jot down what you think the poet's purpose was. Why did he or she feel compelled to write (and speak) this specific poem? What is he or she trying to say? To guide your thinking, look to the hashtags above each video. For all, the hashtags are merely a highlighted phrase from the poem. Think about why that specific line/phrase was chosen. |